Word Wednesday: The Fruit of the Spirit

Something that you may be familiar with are the Fruit of the Spirit – growing in these fruits is a sign of maturity. Have you ever stepped back to look deeper into what these fruits are?

I love languages! They can be so rich. Many times our English cannot begin to describe what the words mean in their Greek or Hebrew form. Today I have broken down the Greek to expound on the fruit of the spirit.

The first listed fruit of the Holy Spirit is love. In the Greek, the word agape is used. This kind of love is a selfless love and that is genuine and that has no other motive behind it.

Next is joy, in which the Greek word is chara. This means a gladness that is not based on circumstances, but solely in God.

Peace follows joy in this passage and the Greek is eirene, which is a contentment in knowing that God orders your steps and guides your life and you have a right relationship with Him.

Makrothymia is the Greek for long-suffering which is a steadfastness and perseverance and the ability to wait regardless of circumstances or feelings about a situation knowing that ultimately God is in control.

Kindness translated back to the original language is chrēstotēs – which means integrity and also having a genuine concern for other people.

Goodness is agathosyne, which is an uprightness of heart and also what motivates someone to do what is good for other people.

Faithfulness (pistis) is a conviction and devotion.

Gentleness (praotes) is from the Greek praos which means meek. Gentleness is humility applied to strength.

Finally, the last trait listed is self-control (egkrateia). Self-control is a bridling of ones passions, and desires and in a sense.

After getting a bit more insight on these fruits, which do you see that you cultivate the most? In which do you need to grow?

About Brittany Lee Ketter

I am a writer, speaker and abolitionist who is passionately in love with Jesus. I carry the purpose God placed on my life to bring the broken to restoration and to a recognition of redemption, and also to raise up a generation of women who are healed, healthy and wholeheartedly devoted to God and to His plans and purposes for their lives.